Dispensing control for a bag-in-box arrangement



w; e. AXTELL ETAL 3,279,656

7 Oct. 18, 1966 DISPENSING CONTROL FOR A BAG-IN-BOX ARRANGEMENT Filed Jan. 4. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 eafi r M 4 J5 mvm mwww Oct. 18, 1966 w. G. AXTELL ETAL 3,279,656

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Oct. 18, 1966 f w. 5. AXTELL ETAL 3,279,656

DISPENSING CONTROL FOR A BAG-IN-BOX- ARRANGEMENT Filed Jan. 4, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 M ll ecu Mezzal "W M United States Patent 3,279,656 DISPENSING CONTROL FOR A BAG-IN-BOX ARRANGEMENT Willard G. Axtell, Englewood, Colo., Wallace K. Brown and Arnold R. Thompson, Hoytsville, Utah, and Lew Trenner, Englewood, Colo., assignors to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 423,121 18 Claims. (Cl. 222183) This invention relates to a device for controlling liquid discharge from a flexible plastic bag confined within a paperboard box, and is an improvement of the type device disclosed in US. Patent 3,116,854, issued January 7, 1964, and entitled Dispensing Holder and Receptacle.

A bag-in-box arrangement commonly consists of a paperboard box and a flexible plastic bag confined therein. A discharge spout on the bag extends through an opening in one side wall of the box, and the dispensing device mounted adjacent the spout and having moveable grippers controls upon manipulation of the grippers the liquid discharged from the bag.

An object of this invention is to provide a dispensing device for such a bag-in-box arrangement, wherein it can be readily secured to the box and the grippers, readily positioned to embrace the discharge spout, and further to provide improved grippers to ensure complete sealing of the spout in the closed position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispensing control which is of simple construction having a minimum number of parts and material, but which yet is re-usable on different bag-in-box combinations.

Detailed improvements of this invention include providing a dispensing control having a two piece frame which can be articulated in a manner for ready loading and unloading of the bag and discharge spout, and pairs of pivotable jaws connected together mechanically to ensure complete gripping and releasing of the discharge spout; providing grippers mounted to swivel independently of the supporting jaws so as to prevent their complementary tongue and groove configuration spout engaging surfaces flush with one another; providing means for securing the device readily to the box so as to be re-usable; and further providing means on the box itself for leveling horizontally or slightly tilting the box to ensure complete dispensing.

In order that these and other objects can be more fully understood and appreciated, reference i herein made to the following specification and the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag-in-box combination showing the subject dispensing device in operative association therewith;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the dispensing device having a portion of it removed and displaced laterally to the side for clearer illustration thereof;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken generally from line 33 and 4-4 of FIG. 1, with the device being, respectively, in the opened and closed position;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views taken, respectively, from lines 5-5, 66, and 77 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a view as taken from line 88 FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view as taken from line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded top plan view of the dispensing control device with various sub-components thereof being disassembled for ready disclosure thereof;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken from line 1111 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a partial side elevational view of a modified box construction; and

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken fromline 15-15 of FIG. 14.

In general, a bag-in-box combination includes an outer paperboard box 10 of conventional construction and an inner liquid proof plastic bag 12 contained within the box. A discharge spout 14 (FIG. 5) extends through an opening 16 in one side wall 18 of the box communicating thereby to the exterior of the box. This combination is disclosed in the above mentioned Patent 3,116,854. The subject dispensing device operates to control liquid discharge from the discharge spout 14.

The dispensing device 20 includes a frame or housing 22 having a width substantially equal to that of side wall 18 (best seen in FIGS. 1 and 11) and is adapted to be mounted flush against the side wall, the discharge spout 14 projecting through an intermediate opening 24 (FIG. 3) in the housing 22. Lugs 26 are provided on housing 22, the lugs being spaced apart at their ends a distance greater than the width of side wall 18 and tapered along inclines 28 to shoulder 30 spaced apart a distance less than the width of the side wall. The shoulders 30 are further spaced forwardly of housing 22 a distance comparable to, or slightly in excess of (FIG. 11), side wall 18. In order thereby to secure the dispensing device to the box, it need merely be placed with the lugs straddling the side Wall and thereafter forced against the box until shoulders'30 ride over and are confined on the end wall. Bottom ledge 32 projecting from the lower edge of housing 22 extends under the box to support it. To interlock the ledge and box, posts 34 on the ledge fit into complementary openings 36 formed in the bottom wall 38 of the box.

In further explanation of the cooperation between the bag, box, and dispensing device, FIG. 5 shows in phantom view discharge spout 14 of the bag extending through box opening 16 and opening 24 in the dispensing device. It is contemplated generally that the bag and spout will be formed of thin plastic material, typically having two layers seamed together so as to present a flat contour when in the unflexed and empty position. To improve the sealing action of such a discharge spout, it is desirable that the spout be flat when confined between the gripping jaws of the dispensing device 20. To elfect this, the bag is formed with wings 40 and 42 having openings therein, one wing 40 being secured to pin 44 on the frame and the second wing being secured to pin 46 on one jaw member. Actuation of the jaw member therefore moves the pins 44 and 46 relative to one another in a manner to pull taut the discharge spout in the bag closed position and to bow the spout in the bag open position. This cooperation of the bag and the dispensing device is disclosed in the above referred to Patent 3,116,854.

In combinaion with thi two pin arrangement for holding the discharge spout, it is desirable to provide means for ready connection of the spout to the dispensing device. To this end, housing 22 is formed by separate members 50 and 52 (best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 10) readily connectable to one another. The frame member 50 extends the'full width of side wall 18, as above mentioned, and further extends rearwardly on one side portion of the box in an enclosed hollow design having an opening 54 in the top thereof. A post 56 is formed integrally with the frame member 50 centrally thereof above the intermediate opening 24. Frame member 52 has a shape to complement the void of frame member 50 and further includes a complementary opening 58 for receiving the post 56 to provide for a pivotal sup- 3 C port thereto. Openings 60 and 61 are formed in the frame members 50 and 52 spaced from the post 56, and a pin 62 having an eccentric portion 64 formed thereon fits within the aligned openings (FIG. 7). R- tation of pin 60 biases the frame .52 about the post 56 to force the frames together in a snug manner for proper operating fit. ,The pin can be withdrawn from the frame 50 if complete separation of the frames is desired, so that the frame 52 can pivot in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 3) and thereafter be removed from the post 56 (FIG. 2).

By this structure, frame 50 can be positioned on the box, with the discharge spout extending through the opening 24 therein, and the various wings of the bag secured to the pins formed on the housing and lever. Thereafter the complementary frame member 52 can be positioned in place against the frame 50 to ready the device for dispensing.

The dispensing device 20 further includes jaw members 70 and 72 which pivot on posts 74 and 76 formed, respectively, on the frame portions 50 and 52; As such, the jaws present adjacent end portions 78 in alignment with each other and adjacent the discharge spout 14, operable in fact to embrace the discharge spout for regulating the liquid flow therefrom. Complementary gears 79 and 80 formed on the jaws generally in line between the spaced pivot points interconnect the jaws to ensure movement toward and away from the discharge spout in unison. Jaw member 70 can further be provided with an extension in the form of a handle 81 which extends through top opening 54 in the frame 50. There- 1 fore, downward manipulation of the handle 81 (FIG. 3)

actuates the jaw members in a manner to separate them i from the discharge spout 14 to permit fluid discharge.

It is desirable that the jaw members be biased normally to the closed position (FIG. 4), and be manipulated manually to the open position (FIG. 3). For this action, spring 82 fits about the post mounting 74 for the jaw member 70 and abuts at its opposite ends the frame 50 and jaw 70, to direct the jaw 70 (as seen in FIG. 4) in a counterclockwise direction about post 74.: Because of the interaction through the integral gears 79 and 80, the complementary jaw member 72 is thereby biased about its post mounting 76 in a clockwise direction. A second spring 83 can also be mounted, if desired, on frame 52 for biasing directly the. jaw 72 in the clockwise direction about post 76.

To aid in the sealing action of the spout in the closed position, it is desirable to engage the spout with gripping surfaces that are flush with one another. Thus, separate gripper members 84 and 85 (FIGS. 8 and 9) are mounted to swivel within appropriately designed pockets 86 and 87, respectively, formed at the end portions 78 of the jaws. The adjacent edges of the gripper members define gripping surfaces 91 and 90 which, as shown in FIG. 9, are of a cooperating tongue and groove configuration. The remote surfaces 94 and 95 of the gripper members are arcuate (as seen in FIG. 8) and fit within the arcuate pockets 86 and 87. These arcuate surfaces can be of the same radii to slide the gripper member within the pocket; or alternately, the radius of the gripper member can be smaller than the radius of the pocket to roll the gripper member within the pocket. As such, the gripper members each can rotate slightly about a rotational axis extending in the same direction generally as the pivotalaxis or posts 74 and 76 of the jaw members, which is also in the same general direction as the spout 14 (see FIG. 5 This provides that gripper surfaces 90 and 91 contact one another flush, which,*because of their cooperating tongue and groove configura tion causes uniform high pressure sealing against the spout to seal the spout effectively.

It might be noted further, that in order to position the original or replacement parts grippers 84 and 85 properly relative to the tongue and groove arrangement, the remote surfaces 94 and 95 are of different widths adapted to fit within differing pockets 86 tion can only fit in the right-hand pocket and similarly, the left-hand gripper 84 having the groove configuration can only fit in the left-hand pocket.

within the pocket. accidentally fall from the pocket in the jaw open position (as shown in FIG. 3).

The positioned dispenser device (as seen in FIGS. 1

and 12) normally would raise the forward end of the box Slightly above supporting surface 107. It is desirable,

therefore, to elevate the rearward end of the box, remote from the dispensing device, slightly so that bottom wall 38 ate panel 113 is disposed in a near vertical alignment;

The end panel 114 fits within aperture 116 on the hinge line to maintain the foot rigid. The elevation of the rear end of the box can be varied as desired merely by the varying of the vertical panel 113.

Further, the box itself could be weakened, if desired,

in the area to be engaged by the lugs 26 by positioning appropriate score lines adjacent the lugs. Such score lines could be U-shaped as shown at in FIGS. 14

and 15 to define a flap 128 foldable into the box upon the engagement of the lugthereagainst.

In summary, the subject dispensing device .can be readily secured to the box of a bag-in-box combination, can be easily connected to the discharge spout of the bag, and further can be readily removed from the box after the liquid has been entirely discharged therefrom for ready reuse on a different box. The device is uniquely simple in that it comprises basic-ally only two frame members, two jaw members, two gripper members and a locking pin member, while it still gives reliable sealing of the discharge spout.

What is claimed:

1.1In combination,

(a) a paperboard box;

(b) a flexible bag of liquid confined within the box and having a discharge spout extended through an opening in a side wall of the box;

(c) a dispensing device for controlling the discharge of fluid from the bag, including:

(i) a pair of jaws moveable to one position whereat they tightly confine the spout to prevent liquid discharge from the bag and moveable to a second position whereat they release the spout to permit liquid discharge from the bag;

(d) means for holding the dispensing device in position relative to the box and spout, including:

(i) spaced lugs projecting from the device adapted to straddle and closely confine the opposite corner edges of the one side wall of the box;

(ii) a ledge projecting from the device adapted to extend under the box adjacent thementioned side wall thereof;

(iii) a post projecting from the ledge adapted to fit within a complementary opening in the bottom wall of the box;

(e) believing means including a foot formed onthe box from the bottom wall near the end thereof opposite the mentioned side wall, operable to elevate that end .of the box slightly as compared to being without the foot for leveling the box generally to compensate for the positioned dispensing device.

and 87. Thus the righthand gripper 85 (FIG. 9) having the tongue configura-:

Further, in FIGS. 8 and 9, a slight protuberance 97 formed on each gripper member is received within a complementary recess 98- of the jaw operable to maintain the gripper resiliently.

This ensures that the gripper will not 1 2. In combination,

(a) a paperboard box;

(b) a flexible bag of liquid confined within the box and having a discharge spout extended through an opening in a side wall of the box;

(c) a dispensing device for controlling the discharge of liquid from the bag, including:

(i) a pair of jaws moveable to one position whereat they tightly confine the spout to prevent liquid discharge from the bag and moveable to a second position whereat they release the spout to permit liquid discharge from the bag;

(d) means for holding the dispensing device in position relative to the box and spout, including:

(i) spaced lugs projecting from the device adapted to straddle and closely confine the opposite corner edges of the one side wall of the box;

(ii) a ledge projecting from the device adapted to extend under the box adjacent the mentioned side wall thereof;

(iii)a post projecting from the ledge adapted to fit within a complementary opening in the bottom wall of the box.

3. In combination,

(a) a paperboard box;

(b) a flexible bag of liquid confined within the box and having a discharge spout extended through an opening in one side wall of the box;

(c) a dispensing device for controlling the discharge of liquid from the bag, including:

(i) a pair of jaws moveable to one position whereat they tightly confine the spout to prevent liquid discharge from the bag and moveable to a second position whereat they release the spout to permit liquid discharge for the bag;

(ii) the jaws including complementary spout engaging surfaces of tongue and groove arrangement for confining the spout locally in the closed position;

(d) means for holding the dispensing device in position relative to the box and spout, including:

(i) spacedlugs projecting from the device adapted to straddle and closely confine the opposite corner edges of the one side wall of the box;

(ii) a ledge projecting from the device adapted to extend under the box adjacent the mentioned side wall thereof;

(iii) a post projecting from the ledge adapted to fit within a complementary opening in the bottom wall of the box.

4. A dispensing device for an arrangement wherein a paperboard box encloses a liquid confining bag having a discharge spout fitted through an opening in one wall of the box, the combination comprising:

(a) a frame including first and second members extending the width generally of the one box wall and further having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving, the discharge spout;

(b) the frame members being removeably held together by means including:

(i) a post connection between the members for pivotally connecting them together;

(if) a pin connection between the members spaced at a location from the post connection operable upon partial rotation to force them about the post connection tightly into place;

(c) first and second jaw members pivotally supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on opposite sides of and adjacent the discharge spout, and moveable toward and away from one another;

(i) the adjacent end portions of the jaw members having pockets therein open toward each other and being defined by an arcuate concave bearing surface;

(d) gripper members disposed within the pockets at the adjacent end portions of the jaw members, includmg:

(i) complementary gripper surfaces ofcooperating tongue and groove configuration disposed adjacent the discharge spout;

(ii) arcuate convex rearwardly facing surfaces disposed symmetrically of the gripper surfaces each adapted to ride on the bearing surface of its pocket for swivel action of the gripper member;

(iii) the convex surfaces of the gripper members being of difierent widths and the pockets being sized accordingly, so that the gripper members cannot be interchanged;

(iv) detent means between the jaw and gripper members resiliently holding them together;

(e) means including an extension of the first jaw member extending through an opening in the first frame member to an accessible position suitable for manual manipulation of the jaw member;

(f) means including integral gearing on the jaw members operable to connect them together mechanically so as to displace in unison the adjacent end portions toward or away from the discharge spout;

(g) spring means for biasing the jaw members resiliently to the bag closed position whereat the gripper surfaces tightly engage the discharge spout to preclude fiuid discharge therefrom.

5. A dispensing device for an arrangement wherein a paperboard box encloses a liquid confining bag having a discharge spout fitted through an opening in one wall of the box, the combination comprising:

(a) a'frame disposed adjacent the one wall of the box and having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving, the discharge spout of the bag;

(b) first and second jaw members pivotally supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on opposite sides of and adjacent the discharge spout;

(i) arcuate pockets formed in the adjacent end portions of thejaw members open toward each other;

(c) gripper members Within the pockets, including:

(i) complementary gripper surfaces disposed adjacent the discharge spout;

(ii) arcuate convex rearwardly facing surfaces disposed symmetrically of the gripper surfaces operable to permit swivel action of the gripper members within the pockets about the discharge spout;

(d) means extending through an opening in the frame to an accessible position on the exterior thereof suitable for manual manipulation of the first jaw member;

(e) means operable to connect the jaw members together so as to displace in unison the adjacent end portions toward or away from the discharge spout.

6. A dispensing device for an arrangement wherein a paperboard box encloses a liquid confining bag having a discharge spout fitted through an opening in one wall of the box, the combination comprising:

(a) a frame disposed adjacent the one wall of the box and having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving, the discharge spout of the bag;

(b) first and second jaw members pivotally supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on opposite sides of and adjacent the discharge spout;

(i) arcuate pockets formed in the adjacent end portions of the jaw members open toward each other;

(0) gripper members within the pockets, including:

(i) complementary gripper surfaces disposed adjacent the discharge spout;

(ii) arcuate convex rearwardly facing surfaces 7 operable to permit swivel action of the gripper members within the pockets;

(d) means suitable for manual manipulation of the first jaw member;

(e) means operable to connect the jaw members together so as to displace in unison the adjacent end portions toward or away from the discharge spout.

7. A dispensing device for an arrangement wherein a paperboard box encloses a liquid confining bag having a discharge spout fitted through an opening in one wall of the box, the combination comprising:

(a) a frame including first and second members disposed adjacent the one box wall and further having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving, the discharge spout;

(b) the frame members being removeably held together by means including:

(i) a post connection between the members for pivotally connecting them together;

(ii) a pin connection between the members spaced at a location from the post connection operable upon partial rotation to force them about the post connection tightly into place;

(c) first and second jaw members pivotally supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on oppoiste sides ofand adjacent the discharge spout;

(i) the adjacent end portions of the jaw members having pockets therein open toward each other and each being defined by an arcuate concave bearing surface;

(d) gripper members disposed within the pockets at the adjacent end portions of the jaw members, including:

(i) complementary gripper surfac'es disposed adjacent the discharge spout;

(ii) arcuate convex rearwardly facing surfaces disposed symmetrically of the gripper surfaces each adapted to ride on the bearing surface of its pocket for swivel action of the gripper member;

(iii) detent means between the jaw and gripper members resiliently holding them together;

(e) means including an extension of the first jaw member disposed at an accessible position suitable for manual manipulation of the jaw member;

(f) means operable to connect the jaw members together mechanically so as to displace'in unison the adjacent end portions toward or away from the discharge spout;

(g) spring means for biasing the jaw members resiliently to the bag closed positionvwhereat the gripper surfaces tightly engage the discharge spout to preclude fluid discharge therefrom.

8. A dispensing device for an arrangement wherein a paperboard box encloses a liquid confining bag having a discharge spout fitted through an opening in one wall of the box, the combination comprising:

(a) a frame including first and second members disposed adjac'ent the one box wall and further having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving, the discharge spout;

(b) the frame members being removeably held together by means including:

(i) a post connection between the members for pivotally connecting them together;

(ii) a pin connection between the members spaced at a location from the post connection operable upon partial rotation to force them about the post connection tightly into place;

(c) first and second jaw members pivotally supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on opposite sides of and adjacent the discharge spout;

(i) the adjacent end portions having pockets therein open toward each other and each being defined by an arcuate concave bearing surface;

(d) gripper members disposed within the pock'ets at the adjacent end portions of the jaw members, ineluding:

(i) complementary gripper surfaces. disposed adjacent the discharge spout;

(ii) arcuate convex rearwardly facing surfaces disposed symmetrically of the grippersurfaces each adapted to ride on the bearing surface of its pocket for swivel; action of the gripper member;

(e) means including an extension of the first jaw member disposed at an accessible position suitable for manual manipulation of the jaw member.

9. A dispensing device for an arrangement wherein a paperboard box encloses a liquid confining bag having a discharge spout fitted through an opening in one wall of the box, the combination comprising:

(a) a frame including first and second members disposed adjacent the one box wall and further having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving,

the discharge spout;

(b) the frame members being removeably held together,

by means including:

(i) a post connection between the members for pivotally connecting them together;

(ii) a .pin connection between the members spaced at a location from the post connection operable u-pon partial rotation to force them about the post connection tightly into place;

(c) first and second jaw memb'ers pivotally supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on opposite sides of and adjacent the discharge spout, and moveable toward and away from one another;

(d) the adjacent end portions of the jaw members including complementary gripper surfaces of cooperating tongue and groove configuration disposed adjacent the discharge spout;

(e) means including an extension of the first jaw member extending through an opening in the first, frame member to an accessible position suitable for manual manipulation of the jaw member;

(f) means including integral gearing on the jaw meme bers operable to connectthem together mechanically so as to displace in unison the adjacent end portions toward or away from the discharge spout;

(g) spring means for biasing the jaw members I'C'.

siliently to the ,bag closed position wher'eat the,

gripper surfaces tightly engage the discharge spout to preclude fluid discharge therefrom.

10. A dispensing device for an arrangement wherein a paperboard box encloses a liquid confining bag having a discharge spou-t fitted through an opening in one wall of the box, the combination comprising:

(a) a frame including first and second members dis- 1 posed adjacent the one box wall and further having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving,

the discharge spout; I (b) the frame members being removeably held together by means including:

(i) a post connection between the members for pivotally connecting them together;

(ii) a pin connection between the members spaced at a location from the post connection operable upon partial, rotation to force them about the post connection tightly into place;

(0) means for holding the frame in position relative to the box and spout, including:

(i) spaced lugs projecting from the first frame,

member adapted to extend beyond and closely confine opposing s'ections of the one wall of the box;

(ii) a ledge projecting from the first frame member adapted to extend under the box adjacent the mentioned wall thereof;

(iii) a post projecting from the ledge adapted to fit within a complementary opening in the bottom wall of the box;

(d) first and second jaw members pivotally supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on opposite sides of and adjacent the discharge spout, and moveable toward and away from one another;

(i) the adjacent end portions including complementary gripper surfaces for gripping the discharge spout;

(e) means including an extension of the first jaw member extending to an accessible position suitable for manual manipulation of the jaw member.

11. A dispensing device for an arrangement wherein a paperboard box encloses a liquid confining bag having a discharge spout fitted through an opening in one wall of the box, the combination comprising:

(a) a frame including first and second members disposed adjacent the one box Wall and further having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving, the discharge spout;

(b) the frame members being removeably held together by means including:

(i) a post connection between the members for pivotally connecting them together;

(ii) a pin connection between the members spaced at a location from the post connection operable upon partial rotation to force them about the I post connection tightly into place;

(c) means for holding the frame in position relative to the box and spout, including:

(i) spaced lugs projecting from the first frame member adapted to extend beyond and closely confine opposing sections of the one wall of the box;

(ii) a ledge projecting from the first frame member adapted to extend under the box adjacent the mentioned side wall thereof;

(iii) a post projecting from the ledge adapted to fit within a complementary opening in the bottom wall of the box;

(d) jaw members pivotally supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on opposite sides of and adjacent the discharge spout, and moveable toward and away from one another, operable to confine the discharge spout in the bag closed position to preclude liquid discharge.

12. In combination,

(a) a paperboard box;

(b) a flexible bag of liquid confined within the box'and having a discharge spout extended through an opening in one wall of the box;

(c) a dispensing device for controlling the discharge of fluid from the bag, including:

(i) a frame disposed adjacent the one box Wall and further having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving, the discharge spout;

(ii) jaw members supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on opposite sides of and adjacent the discharge spout, and moveable toward and away from one another to confine in the bag closed position the discharge spout to preclude liquid discharge therefrom;

(iii) means including an extension of the first jaw member suitable for manual manipulation of the jaw member;

(d) means for holding the frame in position relative to the box and spout, including:

(i) spaced lugs projecting from the frame to extend beyond and closely confine opposing sections of the one wall of the box;

(ii) a ledge projecting from the frame adapted to extend under the box adjacent the mentioned one wall thereof;

(iii) a post projecting from the ledge adapted to fit within a complementary opening in the bottom wall of the box;

(e) leveling means including a foot formed on the box from the bottom wall near. the end thereof opposite the one wall, operable to elevate that end of the box slightly as compared to being without the foot for leveling the box generally to compensate for the positioned dispensing device.

13. In combination,

(a) a paperboard box;

(b) a flexible bag of liquid confined within the box and having a discharge spout extended through an opening in a side wall of the box;

(c) a dispensing device for controlling the discharge of fluid from the bag, including:

(1) a frame receiving the discharge spout;

(2) jaw members supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on opposite sides of and adjacent the discharge spout, and moveable toward and away from one another operable to confine the discharge spout in the bag closed position to preclude liquid discharge from the bag;

((1) means forholding the frame in position relative to the box and spout;

(e) leveling means including a foot formed on the box from the bottom wall near the end thereof opposite the one wall, operable to elevate that end of the box slightly as compared to being without the foot for leveling the box generally to compensate for the positioned dispensing device.

14. In combination,

(a) a paperboard box;

(b) a flexible bag of liquid confined within the box and having a discharge spout extended through an opening in a side wall of the box.

(c) a dispensing device for controlling the discharge of fluid from the bag, including:

(i) a pair of jaws moveable to one position whereat they tightly confine the spout to prevent liquid discharge from the bag and moveable to a second position whereat they release the spout to permit liquid discharge from the bag;

(d) means for holding the dispensing device in position relative to the box and spout, including:

(i) spaced lugs projecting rearwardly and inwardly from the device adapted to grip opposed sidewalls of the box rearwardly adjacent said first mentioned side wall;

(ii) means projecting from the device at a location spaced from the lugs adapted to engage the box and, in cooperation with said lugs and said device, prevent rotation of the device relative to the first mentioned side wall.

15. In combination,

(a) a paperboard box;

(b) a flexible bag of liquid confined within the box and having a discharge spout extended through an opening in a side wall of the box;

(c) a dispensing device for controlling the discharge of the liquid from the bag, including:

(i) a pair of jaws moveable to one position whereat they tightly confine the spout to prevent liquid discharge from the bag and moveable to a second position whereat they reelase the spout to permit liquid discharge from the bag;

(d) means for holding the dispensing device in position relative to the box and spout, including:

(i) spaced lugs projecting from the device adapted to extend beyond and closely confine opposing portions of the one side wall of the box;

(ii) a ledge projecting from the device adapted to extend under the box adjacent the mentioned side wall thereof;

. (iii) a post projecting from the ledge adapted to fit within a complementary opening in the bottom wall of the box.

16. A dispensing device for an arrangement wherein a paperboard box encloses a liquid confining bag having a discharge spout fitted through an opening in one wall of the box, the combination comprising:

(a) a frame disposed adjacent the one wall of the box and having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving, the discharge spout of the bag;

(b) first and second jaw members pivotally supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions thereof aligned with one another on opposite sides of and adjacent the discharge spout;

(i) arcuate pockets formed in the adjacent end portions of the jaw members open toward each other;

(c) gripper members within the pockets, including:

(i) complementary gripper surfaces disposed adjacent the discharge spout;

(ii) arcuate convex rearwardly facing surfaces operable to permit swivel action of the gripper members within the pockets;

(d) means suitable for manual manipulation'of the first jaw member to displace the adjacent end portions toward or away from the discharge spout.

17. A dispensing device according to claim 16, wherein the complementary gripper surfaces have a cooperating tongue and groove configuration adapted to removably engage the discharge spout for controlling discharge therefrom.

18. In combination,

(a) a paperboard box;

(b) a flexible bag of liquid confined within the box 12' and having a discharge spout extendedthrough an opening in a side wall of the box; (c) a dispensing device for controlling the discharge of fluid from the bag, including:

(1) a frame including first and second members disposed adjacent the one box wall and further having an intermediate opening aligned with, and receiving, the discharge spout;

(2) first'and second jaw members supported by the frame to present adjacent end portions there of aligned with one another on opposite sides. of and adjacent the discharge spout, and moveable toward and away from one another;

(3) means for securing the discharge spoutto one of the frame members and to one of the jaw members in the areas of the frame opening;

(4) said frame members being removeably held together by means including:

(i) a post connection between the members for pivotally connecting them together;

(ii) an eccentric pin connection between the members spaced at a location from the post connection operable upon partial rotation to force them about the post connection tightly into place, whereby the discharge spout can be readily secured to the frame and jaw members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,114,624 4/ 1938 Bergstein 53-373 3,089,622 5/ 1963 Westlake ,222-1-183 3,116,854 1/1964 Rabb et al 222-183 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES R. CARTER, Exammer.

K. N. LEIMER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION (A) A PAPERBOARD BOX; (B) A FLEXIBLE BAG OF LIQUID CONFINED WITHIN THE BOX AND HAVING A DISCHARGE SPOUT EXTENDED THROUGH AN OPENING IN A SIDE WALL OF THE BOX; (C) A DISPENSING DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE DISCHARGE OF FLUID FROM THE BAG, INCLUDING: (I) A PAIR OF JAWS MOVEABLE TO ONE POSITION WHEREAT THEY TIGHTLY CONFINE THE SPOUT TO PREVENT LIQUID DISCHARGE FROM THE BAG AND MOVEABLE TO A SECOND POSITION WHEREAT THEY RELEASE THE SPOUT TO PERMIT LIQUID DISCHARGE FROM THE BAG; (D) MEANS FOR HOLDING THE DISPENSING DEVICE IN POSITION RELATIVE TO THE BOX AND SPOUT, INCLUDING: (I) SPACED LUGS PROJECTING FROM THE DEVICE ADAPTED 